Get That Cotton Out Of Your Medicine Bottle

The cotton in a pill jar keeps the pills from rattling around. But once you open the jar, it can make your medication deteriorate faster.

So throw it away.

Because the cotton or synthetic filler is prone to absorb moisture, it can potentially cause a chemical change in the medication and reduce its effectiveness. For this reason, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says you should never leave a cotton-filler in a medicine bottle. The NIH also warnsagainst taking a medication that has changed color or consistency. Medication should be stored in a cool, dry place. Don’t keep it in the bathroom medicine cabinet.